The View from the Shard: in pictures

As the viewing galleries at the top of the Shard prepare to welcome their first visitors, we've had a preview of SE1's newest - and highest - tourist attraction.

The ticket office is reached up a flight of stairs from Joiner Street

'Ironic' images - such as this sandcastle competition between Richard Rogers, Renzo Piano and Christopher Wren judged by Prince Charles - are designed to keep visitors amused while they queue for the lifts

Half-way up the tower visitors must transfer from one lift to another and the floor is specially decorated.

When visitors emerge from the lift on level 68 the views are obscured by this 'cloudscape' to deter people from dawdling to look at the view and blocking the lift lobby

The main triple-height viewing deck has a curiously sterile feel.

Looking across Borough Market and Bankside to the Square Mile and beyond

The view to Borough High Street and the Elephant & Castle at sunrise on a misty winter morning.

"When we designed the Shard, a viewing gallery was part of our thinking right from the start," said architect Renzo Piano.

"We wanted to create a public space where people could visit the building to experience London in a different way and also feel that they have discovered the spirit of the building.

"Level 72 is a wonderful example of this: in the open air on the highest habitable floor, you are surrounded by the shards of glass as well as the sights, sounds, elements and atmosphere of the city below. On top of the city, but also within it."